i'm never going back to rim brakes. i have typically commuted on the same bike i've raced for the past 6 years, and have suffered through canti's not working, mini-v's not being much better, upgrading to avid shorty ultimates which were better, but just as bad for commuting - in fact, getting hit TWICE last fall because i couldn't brake fast enough when innatentive drivers turned across my lane (after having to overtake on the road, and while i was running trail lights no less), i made the switch over to discs and i haven't regretted it.

i think another thing people forget is that not everyone racing cross comes from a road background, so the issue about not having parts isn't quite as big a deal as it is made out to be on here - alot of mountain bikers are probably already going to own or have access to useable disc wheels, ect., to get a bike running when they are first starting out and making their way through the categories, and if they get really into 'cross racing, they can always upgrade to a purpose built cross bike.

out here in the portland, USA area there are already tons of people on disc bikes (apparently ALOT of people get deals on ridley's around here, as there are typically 6 or 7 of those black and yellow disc bikes in every heat), and there is an ever increasing amount of people racing on cross bikes set up with flat bars (disc and not).

I really don't see any reason to not go with a disc setup though (assuming your bike is capable of it). They have much better stopping power, they are more functional in all conditions, and they are easier to adjust (oh and more durable too). Canti and V brakes aren't even in the same league.

I have started looking at getting a cross frames and am only considering disc brakes. I don't see a reason why you would want anything less. Except limited budget maybe, as it does seem to be a little more expensive.

I already voted with my wallet back in late April when I order some carbon disc cross frames from Dengfu and 28 hole carbon tubulars built up with Novatec disc brake hubs from Farsports! Season starts in Texas this weekend but most likely wont face conditions that really demonstrate a true test until next weekend in Fort Collins.

The verdict is we're getting them whether we want them or not. In 2 years it will be impossible to get a high end racing bike with canti mounts on it. You'll have to go to some custom company if you want them.If the new Super X had the new Red discs I'd probably order one. I'm not buying a BB7 bike. I can wait another year for better discs, wheels, forks, frames, etc.

I haven't checked extensively but it seems like more of the American pros are using discs: Powers, Trebon, Johnson (I think) to name a few that I have noticed. Whereas the Europeans are still on rim brakes. Here in Ireland, it is pretty much rim brakes apart from a few people on Boardman bikes. The scene here is not very big though and we are all supposed to be saving our money or something. I'm looking at a X-Fire and I'll stick with rims.

If I was buying a CX bike it would be disc. In fact next year I want to build a disc road bike. I have a freind who has build for his dad a lugged touring frame (with belt drive) for disc brakes. Yes he build his own frames and it is he who want to built a road disc frame for me/the shop.

Considering that I finished the build at 11pm the night before and had ZERO time to bed in the brakes I have to say that it preformed quite admirably. Modulation by the third lap was pretty good using stock BB7s mated to SRAM Red Black Shifters and XX 160mm Rotors.

obviously I'll need loads more time to get things dialed in, but I have to say that it was pretty nice.

I'll be sure to post some pics of the final build once I get the rest of my parts. It's a bit of a piecemeal bike right now.

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